When I first saw one a few weeks ago, approaching from behind on the A1, I first thought it was some awful over-sized Korean clone. The rear is truly 'unfinished' and should not have been signed-off. Any of the three German designers would be laughing. By contrast the other 90-series rear ends look rather attractive !

Volvo offers
 

Just ordered a new S90 momentum D4 auto on contract hire. £270 per month,7000 miles per year, 18 months contract. £1080 up front. Thought it was a good deal. What do people think.

Hope it works out for you, I couldn't justify that sort of commitment myself, I do 15k plus pa, local environment breaks something on the car every other month, car gets hit by something just as often, they'd take it off me...

Made in China

I'd have to see one in a few years to see if it has lasted or as with everything made in china its just superficially good and will very quickly wear out and fail really quickly

I think Volvo's reputation for long lasting toughness will end very quick indeed

So that's 22 monthly rentals - is that plus VAT ? Just watch any mileage over the contracted 10500 and reconditioning costs at contract end.

Slightly odd contract period though.

Jon.

N.B in addition S90s began to arrive from Daqing (Northern China) to Zeebrugge in June, this move frees capacity in Sweden for the XC90, V90 and the new generation XC60. This makes Volvo the first Western automaker to export premium vehicles from China - cars are transported by rail from the Chinese plant to the port.

No that is inclusive of vat. I have never done more than 7000 miles per year,regards reconditioning, 18 months should be ok.

I saw an S90 in a Volvo dealer in Stockport, recently, and the panel fit on the front was dreadful, looked like a bad accident repair, and this was the one on show in the showroom (obviously, where else?).
I posted on here, at the time, saying I hope that is not the shape (or out of shape) of things to come.

For a £50K+ car, I would expect much better fit. My beaten up V70 still has shutlines to be proud of, and my 940 did, until it was squashed by a BMW.

I think the S90 is a great looking car, the new SPA cars appear to be at least equal in quality to the last generation and their FoMoCo parts bin components, and I have no doubt that a properly managed factory in China can turn out cars equal in quality to any plant in the world.

However, I cannot bring myself to spend £50k on an S90 or V90 because the powertrain refinement is totally inadequate and quite frankly I would rather they continued to manufacture in Europe because I'd rather support jobs in Sweden than in China.

I was geared up to order a V90 but sitting in the stunning Inscription interior and then turning the key on that four banger diesel and having it clatter you down the road was like eating a strawberry and finding it tastes of earwax. Maybe a good enough engine in a £25k hatchback, but not in a £50k car. Needless to say they didn't have a petrol or hybrid V90 for me to try, but the engine in the T6 XC90 was similarly underwhelming.

These cars deserve modern six cylinder petrol and diesel options, not just economy car four pots for the lease car market.

Had a chat yesterday with a guy who has a year old Jaguar with a 2 litre turbo diesel engine. H e likes the car and when I asked about the engine he thought it was more than adequate and very capable and he also gets good consumption when towing his caravan. It is apparent that BMW, Audi and Merc are fitting such engines in considerable numbers in their cars.
I have to say that when I test drove the S90 you would never have known it was not a 6 cylinder engine but my experience is limited.

4 cylinder engines sound dreary because there are no overlapping ignition strokes. Whereas in the larger engines, there is always a secondary ignition about to occur on the same upward stroke.... which means the sound they produce is much more pleasing to the ear, and hence PREMIUM.

Due to the 4 cylinder only policy, it means new Volvo's do not have premium engines, which is a real shame because ultimately Volvo needs as many USP's as possible...

4 cylinder engine:

https://d2t1xqejof9utc.cloudfront.ne...9a5/medium.gif

5 cylinder engine:

https://d2t1xqejof9utc.cloudfront.ne...2aa/medium.gif